Saving a database into an importable file format

I am brand new to SQL. Have limited coding experience w/ Visual Basic and database ops w/ Access.

I have come into possession of a SQL 2005 database. The problem is that the designer tried to re-invent the wheel and code a very very poor LMS back end for tracking and reporting. I would like, if possible, to save the database and as far as I am aware - should be able to import into Access and generate statistics and reports to my hearts content.

I have tried w/out success to save the database going through SQL Server Management Studio Express.

Any help or information that could be provided would be appreciated. Any additional information that I can provide, please let me know.

Thanks - Will

You can not save the database as is, you will still need the sql enine to read the information. The easiest way to store the information is to use the backup and restore functions.

To export the data to Access you will need to use SSIS (Sql Server Intergration Services), but if all you want to do is report off it using access why don't you just use the linked tables functions inside Access.

|||Thanks Glenn.

Any suggested reading material on the basics operating through SQL Server Management Stuido?